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Gast LV, Platt T, Nagel AM, Gerhalter T. Recent technical developments and clinical research applications of sodium ( 23Na) MRI. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 138-139:1-51. [PMID: 38065665 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Sodium is an essential ion that plays a central role in many physiological processes including the transmembrane electrochemical gradient and the maintenance of the body's homeostasis. Due to the crucial role of sodium in the human body, the sodium nucleus is a promising candidate for non-invasively assessing (patho-)physiological changes. Almost 10 years ago, Madelin et al. provided a comprehensive review of methods and applications of sodium (23Na) MRI (Madelin et al., 2014) [1]. More recent review articles have focused mainly on specific applications of 23Na MRI. For example, several articles covered 23Na MRI applications for diseases such as osteoarthritis (Zbyn et al., 2016, Zaric et al., 2020) [2,3], multiple sclerosis (Petracca et al., 2016, Huhn et al., 2019) [4,5] and brain tumors (Schepkin, 2016) [6], or for imaging certain organs such as the kidneys (Zollner et al., 2016) [7], the brain (Shah et al., 2016, Thulborn et al., 2018) [8,9], and the heart (Bottomley, 2016) [10]. Other articles have reviewed technical developments such as radiofrequency (RF) coils for 23Na MRI (Wiggins et al., 2016, Bangerter et al., 2016) [11,12], pulse sequences (Konstandin et al., 2014) [13], image reconstruction methods (Chen et al., 2021) [14], and interleaved/simultaneous imaging techniques (Lopez Kolkovsky et al., 2022) [15]. In addition, 23Na MRI topics have been covered in review articles with broader topics such as multinuclear MRI or ultra-high-field MRI (Niesporek et al., 2019, Hu et al., 2019, Ladd et al., 2018) [16-18]. During the past decade, various research groups have continued working on technical improvements to sodium MRI and have investigated its potential to serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. Clinical research applications of 23Na MRI have covered a broad spectrum of diseases, mainly focusing on the brain, cartilage, and skeletal muscle (see Fig. 1). In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of methodological and hardware developments, as well as a review of various clinical research applications of sodium (23Na) MRI in the last decade (i.e., published from the beginning of 2013 to the end of 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena V Gast
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Tanja Platt
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany; Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Teresa Gerhalter
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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Wilferth T, Mennecke A, Huhn K, Uder M, Doerfler A, Schmidt M, Nagel AM. Influence of Residual Quadrupolar Interaction on Quantitative Sodium Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:730-739. [PMID: 37185832 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this work was to evaluate the influence of residual quadrupolar interaction on the determination of human brain apparent tissue sodium concentrations (aTSCs) using quantitative sodium magnetic resonance imaging ( 23 Na MRI) in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Especially, it was investigated if the more detailed examination of residual quadrupolar interaction effects enables further analysis of the observed 23 Na MRI signal increase in MS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS 23 Na MRI with a 7 T MR system was performed on 21 HC and 50 MS patients covering all MS subtypes (25 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 14 patients with secondary progressive MS, and 11 patients with primary progressive MS) using 2 different 23 Na pulse sequences for quantification: a commonly used standard sequence (aTSC Std ) as well as a sequence with shorter excitation pulse length and lower flip angle for minimizing signal loss resulting from residual quadrupolar interactions (aTSC SP ). Apparent tissue sodium concentration was determined using the same postprocessing pipeline including correction of the receive profile of the radiofrequency coil, partial volume correction, and relaxation correction. Spin dynamic simulations of spin-3/2 nuclei were performed to aid in the understanding of the measurement results and to get deeper insight in the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS In normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) of HC and all MS subtypes, the aTSC SP values were approximately 20% higher than the aTSC Std values ( P < 0.001). In addition, the ratio aTSC SP /aTSC Std was significantly higher in NAWM than in normal-appearing gray matter (NAGM) for all subject cohorts ( P < 0.002). In NAWM, aTSC Std values were significantly higher in primary progressive MS compared with HC ( P = 0.01) as well as relapsing-remitting MS ( P = 0.03). However, in contrast, no significant differences between the subject cohorts were found for aTSC SP . Spin simulations assuming the occurrence of residual quadrupolar interaction in NAWM were in good accordance with the measurement results, in particular, the ratio aTSC SP /aTSC Std in NAWM and NAGM. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that residual quadrupolar interactions in white matter regions of the human brain have an influence on aTSC quantification and therefore must be considered, especially in pathologies with expected microstructural changes such as loss of myelin in MS. Furthermore, the more detailed examination of residual quadrupolar interactions may lead to a better understanding of the pathologies themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Konstantin Huhn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen
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Wilferth T, Mennecke A, Gast LV, Lachner S, Müller M, Rothhammer V, Huhn K, Uder M, Doerfler A, Nagel AM, Schmidt M. Quantitative 7T sodium magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain using a 32-channel phased-array head coil: Application to patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4806. [PMID: 35892310 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Apparent tissue sodium concentrations (aTSCs) determined by 23 Na brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have the potential to serve as a biomarker in pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the quantification is hindered by the intrinsically low signal-to-noise ratio of 23 Na MRI. The purpose of this study was to improve the accuracy and reliability of quantitative 23 Na brain MRI by implementing a dedicated postprocessing pipeline and to evaluate the applicability of the developed approach for the examination of MS patients. 23 Na brain MRI measurements of 13 healthy volunteers and 17 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) were performed at 7 T using a dual-tuned 23 Na/1 H birdcage coil with a receive-only 32-channel phased array. The aTSC values were determined for normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing gray matter (NAGM) in healthy subjects and SPMS patients. Signal intensities were normalized using the mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium concentration determined in 37 separate patients receiving a spinal tap for routine diagnostic purposes. Five volunteers underwent MRI examinations three times in a row to assess repeatability. Coefficients of variation (CoVs) were used to quantify the repeatability of the proposed method. aTSC values were compared regarding brain regions and subject cohort using the paired-samples Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Laboratory CSF sodium concentration did not differ significantly between patients without and with MS (p = 0.42). The proposed quantification workflow for 23 Na MRI was highly repeatable with CoVs averaged over all five volunteers of 1.9% ± 0.9% for NAWM and 2.2% ± 1.6% for NAGM. Average NAWM aTSC was significantly higher in patients with SPMS compared with the control group (p = 0.009). Average NAGM aTSC did not differ significantly between healthy volunteers and MS patients (p = 0.98). The proposed postprocessing pipeline shows high repeatability and the results can serve as a baseline for further studies establishing 23 Na brain MRI as a biomarker in diseases such as MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Wilferth
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Angelika Mennecke
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lena V Gast
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lachner
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max Müller
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veit Rothhammer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Konstantin Huhn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Doerfler
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Schmidt
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Polak P, Schulte RF, Noseworthy MD. An approach to evaluation of the point-spread function for 23 Na magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4627. [PMID: 34652040 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite the technical challenges that require lengthy acquisitions to overcome poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sodium (23 Na) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an intriguing area of research due to its essential role in human metabolism. Low SNR images can impact the measurement of the point-spread function (PSF) by adding uncertainty into the resulting quantities. Here, we present methods to calculate the PSF by using the modulation transfer function (MTF), and a 3D-printed line-pair phantom in the context of 23 Na MRI. A simulation study investigated the effect of noise on the resulting MTF curves, which were derived by direct modulation (DM) and a method utilizing Fourier harmonics (FHs). Experimental data utilized a line-pair phantom with nine spatial frequencies, filled with different concentrations (15, 30, and 60 mM) of sodium in 3% agar. MTF curves were calculated using both methods from data acquired from density-adapted 3D radial projections (DA-3DRP) and Fermat looped orthogonally encoded trajectories (FLORET). Simulations indicated that the DM method increased variability in the MTF curves at all tested noise levels over the FH method. For the experimental data, the FH method resulted in PSFs with a narrower full width half maximum with reduced variability, although the improvement in variability was not as pronounced as predicted by simulations. The DA-3DRP data indicated an improvement in the PSF over FLORET. It was concluded that a 3D-printed line-pair phantom represents a convenient method to measure the PSF experimentally. The MTFs from the noisy images in 23 Na MRI have reduced variability from a FH method over DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Polak
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Michael D Noseworthy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Kratzer FJ, Flassbeck S, Schmitter S, Wilferth T, Magill AW, Knowles BR, Platt T, Bachert P, Ladd ME, Nagel AM. 3D sodium ( 23 Na) magnetic resonance fingerprinting for time-efficient relaxometric mapping. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:2412-2425. [PMID: 34061397 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a framework for 3D sodium (23 Na) MR fingerprinting (MRF), based on irreducible spherical tensor operators with tailored flip angle (FA) pattern and time-efficient data acquisition for simultaneous quantification of T1 , T 2 l ∗ , T 2 s ∗ , and T 2 ∗ in addition to ΔB0 . METHODS 23 Na-MRF was implemented in a 3D sequence and irreducible spherical tensor operators were exploited in the simulations. Furthermore, the Cramér Rao lower bound was used to optimize the flip angle pattern. A combination of single and double echo readouts was implemented to increase the readout efficiency. A study was conducted to compare results in a multicompartment phantom acquired with MRF and reference methods. Finally, the relaxation times in the human brain were measured in four healthy volunteers. RESULTS Phantom experiments revealed a mean difference of 1.0% between relaxation times acquired with MRF and results determined with the reference methods. Simultaneous quantification of the longitudinal and transverse relaxation times in the human brain was possible within 32 min using 3D 23 Na-MRF with a nominal resolution of (5 mm)3 . In vivo measurements in four volunteers yielded average relaxation times of: T1,brain = (35.0 ± 3.2) ms, T 2 l , brain ∗ = (29.3 ± 3.8) ms and T 2 s , brain ∗ = (5.5 ± 1.3) ms in brain tissue, whereas T1,CSF = (61.9 ± 2.8) ms and T 2 , CSF ∗ = (46.3 ± 4.5) ms was found in cerebrospinal fluid. CONCLUSION The feasibility of in vivo 3D relaxometric sodium mapping within roughly ½ h is demonstrated using MRF in the human brain, moving sodium relaxometric mapping toward clinically relevant measurement times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian J Kratzer
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Flassbeck
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sebastian Schmitter
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Wilferth
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arthur W Magill
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Knowles
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Bachert
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E Ladd
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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6
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Alhulail AA, Xia P, Shen X, Nichols M, Volety S, Farley N, Thomas MA, Nagel AM, Dydak U, Emir UE. Fast in vivo 23 Na imaging and T 2 ∗ mapping using accelerated 2D-FID UTE magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at 3 T: Proof of concept and reliability study. Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:1783-1794. [PMID: 33166096 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To implement an accelerated MR-acquisition method allowing to map T 2 ∗ relaxation and absolute concentration of sodium within skeletal muscles at 3T. METHODS A fast-UTE-2D density-weighted concentric-ring-trajectory 23 Na-MRSI technique was used to acquire 64 time points of FID with a spectral bandwidth of 312.5 Hz with an in-plane resolution of 2.5 × 2.5 mm2 in ~15 min. The fast-relaxing 23 Na signal was localized with a single-shot, inversion-recovery-based, non-echo (SIRENE) outer volume suppression (OVS) method. The sequence was verified using simulation and phantom studies before implementing it in human calf muscles. To evaluate the 2D-SIRENE-MRSI (UTE = 0.55 ms) imaging performance, it was compared to a 3D-MRI (UTE = 0.3 ms) sequence. Both data sets were acquired within 2 same-day sessions to assess repeatability. The T 2 ∗ values were fitted voxel-by-voxel using a biexponential model for the 2D-MRSI data. Finally, intra-subject coefficients of variation (CV) were estimated. RESULTS The MRSI-FID data allowed us to map the fast and slow components of T 2 ∗ in the calf muscles. The spatial distributions of 23 Na concentration for both MRSI and 3D-MRI acquisitions were significantly correlated (P < .001). The test-retest analysis rendered high repeatability for MRSI with a CV of 5%. The mean T 2 Fast ∗ in muscles was 0.7 ± 0.1 ms (contribution fraction = 37%), whereas T 2 Slow ∗ was 13.2 ± 0.2 ms (63%). The mean absolute muscle 23 Na concentration calculated from the T 2 ∗ -corrected data was 28.6 ± 3.3 mM. CONCLUSION The proposed MRSI technique is a reliable technique to map sodium's absolute concentration and T 2 ∗ within a clinically acceptable scan time at 3T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad A Alhulail
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.,Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pingyu Xia
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Xin Shen
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Miranda Nichols
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Srijyotsna Volety
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Nicholas Farley
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Micheal Albert Thomas
- Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Dydak
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Uzay E Emir
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.,Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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7
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Sodium relaxometry using
23
Na MR fingerprinting: A proof of concept. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:2577-2591. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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8
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Lachner S, Ruck L, Niesporek SC, Utzschneider M, Lott J, Hensel B, Dörfler A, Uder M, Nagel AM. Comparison of optimized intensity correction methods for 23Na MRI of the human brain using a 32-channel phased array coil at 7 Tesla. Z Med Phys 2019; 30:104-115. [PMID: 31866116 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To correct for the non-homogeneous receive profile of a phased array head coil in sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23Na MRI). METHODS 23Na MRI of the human brain (n = 8) was conducted on a 7T MR system using a dual-tuned quadrature 1H/23Na transmit/receive birdcage coil, equipped with a 32-channel receive-only array. To correct the inhomogeneous receive profile four different methods were applied: (1) the uncorrected phased array image and an additionally acquired birdcage image as reference image were low-pass filtered and divided by each other. (2) The second method substituted the reference image by a support region. (3) By averaging the individually calculated receive profiles, a universal sensitivity map was obtained and applied. (4) The receive profile was determined by a pre-scanned large uniform phantom. The calculation of the sensitivity maps was optimized in a simulation study using the normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE). All methods were evaluated in phantom measurements and finally applied to in vivo 23Na MRI data sets. The in vivo measurements were partial volume corrected and for further evaluation the signal ratio between the outer and inner cerebrospinal fluid compartments (CSFout:CSFin) was calculated. RESULTS Phantom measurements show the correction of the intensity profile applying the given methods. Compared to the uncorrected phased array image (NRMSE = 0.46, CSFout:CSFin = 1.71), the quantitative evaluation of simulated and measured intensity corrected human brain data sets indicates the best performance utilizing the birdcage image (NRMSE = 0.39, CSFout:CSFin = 1.00). However, employing a support region (NRMSE = 0.40, CSFout:CSFin = 1.17), a universal sensitivity map (NRMSE = 0.41, CSFout:CSFin = 1.05) or a pre-scanned sensitivity map (NRMSE = 0.42, CSFout:CSFin = 1.07) shows only slightly worse results. CONCLUSION Acquiring a birdcage image as reference image to correct for the receive profile demonstrates the best performance. However, when aiming to reduce acquisition time or for measurements without existing birdcage coil, methods that use a support region as reference image, a universal or a pre-scanned sensitivity map provide good alternatives for correction of the receive profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lachner
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Laurent Ruck
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian C Niesporek
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Utzschneider
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johanna Lott
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hensel
- Center for Medical Physics and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Dörfler
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany; Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Abstract
In this article, an overview of the current developments and research applications for non-proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ultrahigh magnetic fields (UHFs) is given. Due to technical and methodical advances, efficient MRI of physiologically relevant nuclei, such as Na, Cl, Cl, K, O, or P has become feasible and is of interest to obtain spatially and temporally resolved information that can be used for biomedical and diagnostic applications. Sodium (Na) MRI is the most widespread multinuclear imaging method with applications ranging over all regions of the human body. Na MRI yields the second largest in vivo NMR signal after the clinically used proton signal (H). However, other nuclei such as O and P (energy metabolism) or Cl and K (cell viability) are used in an increasing number of MRI studies at UHF. One major advancement has been the increased availability of whole-body MR scanners with UHFs (B0 ≥7T) expanding the range of detectable nuclei. Nevertheless, efforts in terms of pulse sequence and post-processing developments as well as hardware designs must be made to obtain valuable information in clinically feasible measurement times. This review summarizes the available methods in the field of non-proton UHF MRI, especially for Na MRI, as well as introduces potential applications in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian C Niesporek
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Syeda W, Blunck Y, Kolbe S, Cleary JO, Johnston LA. A continuum of T 2 * components: Flexible fast fraction mapping in sodium MRI. Magn Reson Med 2019; 81:3854-3864. [PMID: 30652360 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Parameter mapping in sodium MRI data is challenging due to inherently low SNR and spatial resolution, prompting the need to employ robust models and estimation techniques. This work aims to develop a continuum model of sodium T 2 * -decay to overcome the limitations of the commonly employed bi-exponential models. Estimates of mean T 2 * -decay and fast component fraction in tissue are emergent from the inferred continuum model. METHODS A closed-form continuum model was derived assuming a gamma distribution of T 2 * components. Sodium MRI was performed on four healthy human subjects and a phantom consisting of closely packed vials filled with an aqueous solution of varying sodium and agarose concentrations. The continuum model was applied to the phantom and in vivo human multi-echo 7T data. Parameter maps by voxelwise model-fitting were obtained. RESULTS The continuum model demonstrated comparable estimation performance to the bi-exponential model. The parameter maps provided improved contrast between tissue structures. The fast component fraction, an indicator of the heterogeneity of localised sodium motion regimes in tissue, was zero in CSF and high in WM structures. CONCLUSIONS The continuum distribution model provides high quality, high contrast parameter maps, and informative voxelwise estimates of the relative weighting between fast and slow decay components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warda Syeda
- Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yasmin Blunck
- Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Scott Kolbe
- Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jon O Cleary
- Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Leigh A Johnston
- Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Blunck Y, Moffat BA, Kolbe SC, Ordidge RJ, Cleary JO, Johnston LA. Zero-gradient-excitation ramped hybrid encoding (zG RF -RHE) sodium MRI. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:1172-1180. [PMID: 30252156 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fast bi-exponential transverse signal decay compounds sodium image quality. This work aims at enhancing image characteristics using a special case of ramped hybrid encoding (RHE). Zero-gradient-excitation (zGRF )-RHE provides (1) gradient-free excitation for high flip angle, artifact-free excitation profiles and (2) gradient ramping during dead-time for the optimization of encoding time (tenc ) to reduce T2 * signal decay influence during acquisition. METHODS Radial zGRF -RHE and standard radial UTE were investigated over a range of receiver bandwidths in simulations, phantom and in vivo brain experiments. Central k-space in zGRF -RHE was acquired through single point measurements at the minimum achievable TE. T2 * blurring artifacts and image SNR and CNR were assessed. RESULTS zGRF -RHE enabled 90° flip angle artifact-free excitation, whereas gradient pre-ramping provided greater tenc efficiency for any readout bandwidths. Experiments confirmed simulation results, revealing sharper edge characteristics particularly at short readout durations (TRO ). Significant SNR improvements of up to 4.8% were observed for longer TRO . CONCLUSION zGRF -RHE allows for artifact-free high flip angle excitation with time-efficient encoding improving on image characteristics. This hybrid encoding concept with gradient pre-ramping is trajectory independent and can be introduced in any center-out UTE trajectory design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Blunck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Bradford A Moffat
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Scott C Kolbe
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Roger J Ordidge
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jon O Cleary
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Radiology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leigh A Johnston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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